Rollable device with features aiding soft tissue release and muscle loosening

ABSTRACT

A rollable apparatus includes a housing being annular in shape, a heating element mounted about the exterior of the housing, a vibration-inducing motor mounted in the interior of the housing and attached thereto, and a set of batteries mounted in the interior of the housing. The set of batteries is provided for powering the heating element to control the temperature of the housing and for powering the vibration motor to induce oscillatory motion in the housing. The apparatus also includes a set of user controls mounted so as to be accessible at the exterior of the housing, a front cover removably mounted so as to form a portion of the exterior of the housing at one end thereof, and a skin of pliable cushioning material covering the housing.

PRIORITY CLAIM

In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in anApplication Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, thepresent invention claims priority as a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/867,201, entitled “ROLLABLE DEVICE WITH FEATURESAIDING SOFT TISSUE RELEASE AND MUSCLE LOOSENING, filed May 5, 2020,which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/169,657,entitled “ROLLABLE DEVICE WITH FEATURES AIDING SOFT TISSUE RELEASE ANDMUSCLE LOOSENING”, filed May 31, 2016, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/169,291, entitled “ROLLABLE DEVICEWITH FEATURES AIDING SOFT TISSUE RELEASE AND MUSCLE LOOSENING”, filedJun. 1, 2015. The contents of the above referenced applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the release of muscletension, and more particularly, to a rollable apparatus incorporatingboth vibration and heating features aiding soft tissue release, muscleloosening, and or muscle activation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the science of sports medicine, physiotherapy, and strength andconditioning there is a constant search for ways to improved range ofmotion, functional movement, blood flow, and relaxation of the body and,particularly, those areas prone to becoming overly tight due to overuseand stress. Of interest are devices that are particularly useful in theself myofascial release realm.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for an innovation that willprovide a solution to the problems with the muscle function of the bodyin the aforementioned areas that remain unsolved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an innovation that overcomes thedeficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved byproviding a rollable apparatus with features aiding soft tissue releaseand muscle loosening.

In one aspect of the present invention, a rollable apparatus includes:

a housing being annular in shape;

a heating element mounted about the exterior of the housing;

a vibration-inducing motor mounted in the interior of the housing andattached thereto;

at least one battery mounted in the interior of the housing for poweringthe heating element to heat the housing to a temperature level within agiven temperature range and for powering the vibration-inducing motor toinduce oscillatory motion in the housing; and

a set of user controls mounted on the housing to control the heatingelement and the vibration-inducing motor.

In another aspect, a microprocessor is mounted in the housing forreceiving inputs from the set of user controls operated by a user tocontrol respective operation of the heating element andvibration-inducing motor. A temperature sensor is provided in thehousing for sensing and inputting temperature status of the heatingelement to the microprocessor for controlling operation of the headingelement. The set of user controls is a set of user-operated push buttonsfor activating inputs to the microprocessor and a plurality of LEDlights controlled by the microprocessor for indicating the status of theheating element and vibration-inducing motor. A battery fuel gauge isprovided for indicating the status of battery electrical charge to themicroprocessor, and a battery charger is operable for increasing theelectrical charge of the battery.

In another aspect, the heating element includes an annular band and aplurality of arcuate strands attached to the band in a laterallyspaced-apart array that matches an array of grooves formed in theexterior of the housing such that the heating element strands fit withinthe array of grooves formed in the housing exterior. Also, a skin ofpliable cushioning material covers the housing and the heating elementthereon.

In another aspect, the housing includes front and rear housing portions.The front housing portion has a rear annular rim and the rear housingportion has a front annular rim that faces toward and fits with the rearannular rim of the front housing portion. The rear housing portion alsohas a plurality of rear lugs formed on, and protruding radially inwardfrom, the interior of the rear housing portion at angular andcircumferentially-spaced relationships to one another and proximate thefront annular rim such that the rear lugs terminate substantially flushwith the front annular rim. The front housing portion also has aplurality of front lugs formed on, and protruding radially inward from,the interior of the front housing portion at angular andcircumferentially-spaced relationships to one another and proximate therear annular rim such that the front lugs terminate substantially flushwith the rear annular rim and the front lugs on the front housingportion are alignable with the rear lugs on the rear housing portionwhen the front and rear housing portions are fitted to one another. Thehousing also includes a plurality of fasteners securing the alignedpairs of the front and rear lugs together and thereby detachablyattaching the front and rear housing portions to one another.

In another aspect, the rollable apparatus includes:

a housing being annular in shape;

a heating element mounted about the exterior of the housing;

a vibration-inducing motor mounted in the interior of the housing andattached thereto;

at least one battery mounted in the interior of the housing for poweringthe heating element to heat the housing to a temperature level within agiven temperature range and for powering the vibration-inducing motor toinduce oscillatory motion in the housing;

a set of user controls mounted on the housing to control the heatingelement and the vibration-inducing motor;

a front cover removably mounted on the exterior of the housing so as tocover the set of user controls; and

rear and front roller elements mounted to a rear end of the housing andto the front cover such that the front cover must be removed to gainaccess to the set of user controls.

In another aspect, a grip handle device is provided being detachableattachable to the rear and front roller elements to enable a user tograsp and carry the rollable apparatus.

In another aspect, a rollable apparatus includes:

a housing being annular in shape;

a heating element mounted about the exterior of the housing;

a vibration-inducing motor mounted in the interior of the housing andattached thereto;

at least one battery mounted in the interior of the housing for poweringthe heating element to heat the housing to a temperature level within agiven temperature range and for powering the vibration-inducing motor toinduce oscillatory motion in the housing;

a set of user controls mounted on the housing to control the heatingelement and the vibration-inducing motor;

a roller element mounted to one end of the housing; and

a cover mounted to an opposite end of the housing and having an openingrecessed centrally therein through which to gain access to the set ofuser controls such that the cover need not be removed to access the setof user controls.

In another aspect, a glove handle device is provided being detachablyattachable to the roller element at a respective one of the oppositeends of the housing for receiving a hand of a user to grasp and directthe rollable apparatus in contact with areas of the body of the user forapplication of a desired treatment thereto.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawingsand the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be describedin conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and notto limit the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 presents an isometric assembly view of an exemplary embodiment ofa rollable apparatus with features aiding soft tissue release and muscleloosening in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 presents a side elevation view of the rollable apparatusoriginally introduced in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 presents a front elevation view of the rollable apparatusoriginally introduced FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 presents a diametrically sectioned view of the rollable apparatustaken along section line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 presents an isometric view of the rollable apparatus similar tothat of FIG. 1, except that a cover has been removed from an end of therollable apparatus;

FIG. 6 presents an isometric exploded view of the rollable apparatusoriginally introduced in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 presents an isometric view of the rollable apparatus similar tothat of FIG. 1, except that a grip handle device is detachably attachedat the opposite ends of the rollable apparatus;

FIG. 8 presents a view of the rollable apparatus during use;

FIG. 9 presents an isometric assembly view of a slightly modifiedimplementation of the rollable apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 presents an isometric view of the rollable apparatus similar tothat of FIG. 9, except that a glove handle device is detachably attachedat one of the opposite ends of the rollable apparatus;

FIG. 11 presents a side elevation view of the rollable apparatus of FIG.10 showing a user's hand inserted into the glove handle device;

FIG. 12 presents a side elevation view of the rollable apparatus of FIG.9 showing the rollable device supported on a base station; and

FIG. 13 presents a block diagram of operational components within therollable apparatuses of FIGS. 1 and 9.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure andare not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is definedby the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”,“lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, andderivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to beunderstood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in theattached drawings, and described in the following specification, aresimply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in theappended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physicalcharacteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not tobe considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, there is illustrated an exemplary embodimentof a rollable apparatus, generally designated 100, in accordance withaspects of the present invention. The rollable apparatus 100 isconfigured and operable to aid in soft tissue release and muscleloosening, due primarily to its spherical shape along with its abilityto oscillate and generate heat. The rollable apparatus 100 includes ahousing 102, a heating element 104 mounted about the exterior of thehousing 102, a vibration-inducing motor 106 and at least one andpreferably a set of batteries 108, such as, for example, Lithium iontype batteries, mounted in the interior of the housing 102 by asub-housing 110, and a set of user push button controls 112 on thehousing 102. Also, a front cover 114 mounted on the exterior of thehousing 102 is removable to gain access to the user push button controlset 112. The set of batteries 108 are for powering the heating element104 and the vibration-inducing motor 106. The device 100 also includes askin 116 of pliable or cushioning material covering the housing 102.

More particularly, as best seen in FIG. 6, the housing 102, beingconfigured in a spherical shape by way of example but not limitation,has front and rear housing portions 118 and 120, respectively. The fronthousing portion 118 has a rear annular rim 118A, and the rear housingportion 120 has a front annular rim 120A that faces toward and fits withthe rear annular rim 118A of the front housing portion 118. The rearhousing portion 120 also has a plurality of rear lugs 120B, such as fourin number, by way of example but not limitation being formed on, andprotruding radially inward from, the interior of the rear housingportion 120 at angular and circumferentially-spaced relationships to oneanother and proximate the front annular rim 120A, such that the rearlugs 120B terminate substantially flush with the front annular rim 120A.The front housing portion 118 has a plurality of front lugs 118B, suchas four in number, by way of example but not limitation being formed on,and protruding radially inward from, the interior of the front housingportion 118 at angular and circumferentially-spaced relationships to oneanother and proximate the rear annular rim 118A such that front lugs118B terminate substantially flush with the rear annular rim 118A andthe front lugs 118B on the front housing portion 118 are alignable withthe rear lugs 120B on the rear housing portion 120 when the front andrear housing portions 118, 120 are fitted to one another. Threadedportions of fasteners 122, such as screws, may be inserted throughapertures 118C in the front lugs 118B and threaded into threadedopenings 120C tapped in the rear lugs 120B in order to detachably attachthe front and rear housing portions 118, 120 to one another.

Also, as best seen in FIGS. 4-6, the rear housing portion 120 of thehousing 102 has a rear end 120D, and the front housing portion 118 ofthe housing 102 has a truncated front end 118D formed with a threadedannular rim 118E. To gain access to the set of user push button controlset 112 located on the truncated front end 118D, the front cover 114 isremovably mounted on the housing 102 by the threaded annular rim 118E onthe truncated front end 118D of the housing 102. Further, the exteriorsof the front and rear housing portions 118, 120 of the housing 102 haverespective groove portions 124, 126 recessed therein and being laterallyspaced apart from each other. The groove portions 124, 126 alignend-to-end with one another when the front and rear housing portions118, 120 are attached to one another by the fasteners 122 such thattogether the groove portions 124, 126 form an array of grooves 128 thatextend from the rear end 120D of the rear housing portion 120 totruncated front end 118D of the front housing portion 118.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the sub-housing 110 of the apparatus 100detachably attaches to the interior side of the truncated front end 118Dof the front housing portion 118 of the housing 102 by fasteners 130that seat in slots 132 in the truncated front end 118D and thread intoapertures 134 in the peripheral rim 110A of the sub-housing 110. Thesub-housing 110 supports the vibration-inducing motor 106 and the set ofbatteries 108, such that the latter provide electrical power to theheating element 104 and the vibration-inducing motor 106 via electricalconnections associated with the sub-housing 110. The heating element104, mounted about the exterior of the housing 102, may take the form ofan annular band 136 and a plurality of arcuate strands of wires 138attached to the band 136 in a laterally spaced-apart array that matchesthe array of grooves 128 in the exterior of the housing 102, such thatthe heating element strands of wires 138 fit or are embedded within thearray of grooves 128 of the exterior of the housing 102. The internalmotor 106 has the capability to oscillate at different speeds orfrequencies. The vibrations are transmitted from the motor 106 to thehousing 102 via the sub-housing 110 and the truncated front end 118D ofthe front housing portion 118 of the housing 102.

Furthermore, the apparatus 100 is equipped with a printed circuit board(PCB) 140 mounted to the sub-housing 110 and at least one on/off powerswitch or button 142 of the push button control set 112 and a micro USB144 mounted to the truncated front end 118D of the housing 102 toselectively turn the heating element 104 on and off, to selectivelyprovide heat and to control a charge level. Light Emitting Diode (LED)lights 146 are also preferably mounted to the truncated front end 118Dof the housing 102 to indicate oscillation intensity, heating elementstatus and charge level. The skin 116 of pliable or cushioning materialcovering the housing shell 102 may be in the form of an outer lining ofpolyurethane foam, or silicone or rubber material, for example,imparting comfort to the person using the device 100, as shown in FIG.8. The heating element 104, for example, in the form of strands of wires138, is located underneath the outer skin 116 of pliable or cushioningmaterial. The internally-disposed set of batteries 108 may berechargeable through a recessed port in the truncated front end 118D ofthe housing 102.

Referring FIGS. 4 and 7, it can be seen that rear and front rollerelements 148, 150 may be mounted to rear end 120E of the housing 102 andto the front cover 114. Also, a grip handle device 152 may be deployedin conjunction with the rollable apparatus 100 by being detachablyattached to the rear and front roller elements 148, 150 at therespective opposite ends of the rollable apparatus 100. The grip handledevice 152 is employed by a user to more conveniently grasp and carrythe rollable apparatus 100. Also, in FIG. 8 the rollable apparatus 100is shown in one position of use by a user.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, there is illustrated a rollable apparatus,generally designated 200, which is slightly modified implementation ofthe rollable apparatus 100 in accordance with other aspects of thepresent invention. The rollable apparatus 200 is configured withsubstantially the same structural and operational features as describedabove with respect to rollable apparatus 100 to aid in soft tissuerelease and muscle loosening, due primarily to its spherical shape alongwith its ability to oscillate and generate heat. Those of the featuresof the rollable apparatus 200 seen in FIGS. 9-12 being like those of therollable apparatus 100 are numbered the same except preceded by thenumeral ‘2’. Reference is directed to the above description of thestructural and operational features of the rollable apparatus 100 forgaining an understanding of the rollable apparatus 200, which issubstantially similar thereto. The only significant difference betweenthe two rollable apparatuses 100,200 is the rollable apparatus 200 doesnot employ the front roller element 150 in its removable front cover214. Instead the front cover 214 has a portal or opening 254 recessedcentrally therein through which to gain access to the set of usercontrols 212. As a result the front cover 214 need not be removed toaccess the set of user controls 212. Also, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11,a glove handle device 256 may be detachably attached to the rear rollerelement 248 at a respective one of the opposite ends of the housing 202for receiving a hand of a user to more conveniently grasp and direct therollable apparatus 200 in contact with areas of the user's body forapplication of the desired treatment thereto.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is illustrated a block diagram, generallydesignated 300, of the arrangement of operational components in each ofthe rollable apparatuses 100,200. The various blocks 302-320 of theblock diagram 300 represent the set of components within each of therollable apparatuses 100, 200 which cause it to operate in a safe manneras a variable speed vibrator with variable heat. By way of example, agiven one of the rollable apparatuses receives control inputs from agiven one of a three push button set 112, as represented by block 302. Afirst one 142 of the push button set 302 is used to turn on or off thepower for the rollable apparatus; a second one of the push button set302 is used to set the vibration speed; and, a third one of the pushbutton set 302 is used to set the level of the heat. Once the rollableapparatus is powered up by activating the power pushbutton, amicroprocessor, represented by block 304, on the PCB 140 turns on theappropriate one of the Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights 146, asrepresented by block 306, indicating that the rollable apparatus isactive.

Next, the microprocessor 304 of the rollable apparatus checks theelectrical charge level of the batteries 108 by interrogating a batteryfuel gauge, as represented by block 308. If the batteries containsinsufficient electrical charge to operate the microprocessor 304, theappropriate one of the LED lights 306 is then turned on to indicate lowor no battery electrical charge level. The microprocessor 304 thensuspends activity until the battery electrical charge level is broughtup to the required minimum operating level. If the batteries 108 containsufficient electrical charge to operate, the microprocessor 304 thenenters a wait state and suspends operation while waiting for inputs fromeither the heat control push button of the set 112/302 or the vibrationcontrol push button of the set 112/302.

If the heat control push button of the set 112/302 is depressed, themicroprocessor 304 turns on the heating element 104 via its heatingelement drive circuit, as represented by block 310, to heat the housing102 of the rollable apparatus to a temperature level within a range oftemperatures as desired by the user. The temperature of the heatingelement 104 is monitored by a temperature sensor, as represented byblock 312. A software control loop executing inside the microprocessor304 uses the output of the temperature sensor 312 and a pulse widthmodulation circuit inside the microprocessor to regulate the temperatureof the heating element 104 via the heating element drive circuit 310.The temperature sensor 312 also monitors the temperature of the rollableapparatus as a safety feature. The rollable apparatus is automaticallypowered off if its temperature exceeds a safety threshold.

If the vibration control push button of the set 112/302 is depressed,the microprocessor 304 turns on the vibration-inducing motor 106 via avibration motor drive circuit, as represented by block 314, to the leveldesired by the user. Software and a pulse width modulation circuitinside the microprocessor 304 drives a FET in the vibration-inducingmotor drive circuit 314 to turn the vibration on and off. This adjuststhe speed of the vibration-inducing motor 106, thereby regulating theamount of vibration emanating from the rollable apparatus.

The LED lights 306 mounted on the rollable apparatus are used toindicate the level of heat, the level of vibration and the remainingbattery electrical charge life. Another component shown in the blockdiagram 300 is a debug header, as represented by block 316, which isused to program the microprocessor and to debug the software duringinitial testing. However, this component is not accessible to the user.

Also, as mentioned earlier, the rollable apparatus contains and ispowered by a lithium ion battery set 108, which are recharged via awireless charging circuit of a Li ion battery charger, as represented byblock 318. The rollable apparatus resides in a base station 258, as seenin FIG. 12, when not in use. The base station 258 contains a wirelesspower circuit 320 which is capable of converting wireless energy (radiowaves) into DC voltages for the Li-ion battery charger 318 whichmonitors and charges the Li-ion batteries 108. The battery fuel gauge308 monitors the battery charge and the microprocessor 304 queries thebattery fuel gauge 308 to determine the battery charge. Themicroprocessor 304 then turns on the appropriate one of the LED lights306 with the appropriate color to indicate the remaining charge on thebatteries 108 for the user.

In summary, the goal of the rollable apparatuses 100, 200 is to aid insoft tissue release and loosening of muscle tissue to facilitatelengthening (increase in range of motion) and healing. Each apparatusaccomplishes this by inclusion of an oscillating (vibrating/pulsing)component in combination with a heating component. The ability toprovide this combination is a significant feature of the presentinvention. Potential applications for use of the rollable apparatuses100, 200 include, but are not limited to, muscle tension release,myofascial release and lengthening, increased blood flow to surroundingtissues, and increased activation of tissues when used on a highoscillation setting. The above-described rollable apparatuses 100, 200are implemented as a ball of spherical shape. By way of example, but notlimitation, each apparatus is preferably between four to six inches indiameter; however, other sizes and geometries are also contemplated andconsidered to be within the intended scope of the invention. Forexample, in an alternatively implementation, the rollable apparatus maybe implemented as a roller of cylindrical shape, in varying sizes (e.g.,denoted “small,” “medium,” and “large”), and capable of selectivevibration/oscillation within a desired range of frequencies.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations ofimplementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles ofthe invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications orequivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that theinvention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as thebest mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that theinvention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rollable apparatus, comprising: a housing beingannular in shape; a heating element mounted about the exterior of saidhousing; a vibration-inducing motor mounted in the interior of saidhousing and attached thereto; at least one battery mounted in theinterior of said housing for powering said heating element to heat saidhousing to temperature level within a given temperature range and forpowering said vibration-inducing motor to induce oscillatory motion insaid housing; and a set of user controls mounted on said housing tocontrol said heating element and said vibration-inducing motor.
 2. Therollable apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a microprocessormounted in said housing for receiving inputs from said set of usercontrols operated by a user to control respective operation of saidheating element and vibration-inducing motor.
 3. The rollable apparatusof claim 2 further comprising a temperature sensor in said housing forsensing and inputting temperature status of said heating element to saidmicroprocessor for controlling operation of said heading element.
 4. Therollable apparatus of claim 2 wherein said set of user controlscomprises a set of user-operated push buttons for activating inputs tosaid microprocessor and a plurality of LED lights controlled by saidmicroprocessor for indicating the status of said heating element andvibration-inducing motor.
 5. The rollable apparatus of claim 2 furthercomprising a battery fuel gauge for indicating the status of batteryelectrical charge to said microprocessor, and a battery charger operablefor increasing the electrical charge of said battery.
 6. The rollableapparatus of claim 1 wherein said heating element comprises an annularband and a plurality of arcuate strands attached to said band in alaterally spaced-apart array that matches an array of grooves formed inthe exterior of said housing such that said heating element strands fitwithin said array of grooves formed in said housing exterior.
 7. Therollable apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a skin of pliablecushioning material covering said housing and said heating elementthereon.
 8. The rollable apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housingcomprises front and rear housing portions, said front housing portionhas a rear annular rim and said rear housing portion has a front annularrim that faces toward and fits with said rear annular rim of said fronthousing portion.
 9. The rollable apparatus of claim 8 wherein said rearhousing portion of said housing has a plurality of rear lugs formed on,and protruding radially inward from, the interior of said rear housingportion at angular and circumferentially-spaced relationships to oneanother and proximate said front annular rim such that said rear lugsterminate substantially flush with said front annular rim.
 10. Therollable apparatus of claim 9 wherein said front housing portion of saidhousing has a plurality of front lugs formed on, and protruding radiallyinward from, the interior of said front housing portion at angular andcircumferentially-spaced relationships to one another and proximate saidrear annular rim such that said front lugs terminate substantially flushwith said rear annular rim and said front lugs on said front housingportion are alignable with said rear lugs on said rear housing portionwhen said front and rear housing portions are fitted to one another. 11.The rollable apparatus of claim 10 wherein said housing also comprises aplurality of fasteners securing aligned pairs of said front and rearlugs together and thereby detachably attach said front and rear housingportions to one another.
 12. A rollable apparatus, comprising: a housingbeing annular in shape; a heating element mounted about the exterior ofsaid housing; a vibration-inducing motor mounted in the interior of saidhousing and attached thereto; at least one battery mounted in theinterior of said housing for powering said heating element to heat saidhousing to a temperature level within a given temperature range and forpowering said vibration-inducing motor to induce oscillatory motion insaid housing; a set of user controls mounted on said housing to controlsaid heating element and said vibration-inducing motor; a front coverremovably mounted on the exterior of said housing so as to cover saidset of user controls; and rear and front roller elements mounted to saidend of said housing and to said front cover such that said front covermust be removed to gain access to said set of user controls.
 13. Therollable apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a grip handle devicebeing detachable attachable to said rear and front roller elements toenable a user to grasp and carry said rollable apparatus.
 14. Therollable apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a microprocessormounted in said housing for receiving inputs from said set of usercontrols operated by a user to control respective operation of saidheating element and vibration-inducing motor.
 15. The rollable apparatusof claim 12 wherein said heating element comprises an annular band and aplurality of arcuate strands attached to said band in a laterallyspaced-apart array that matches an array of grooves formed in theexterior of said housing such that said heating element strands fitwithin said array of grooves formed in said housing exterior.
 16. Therollable apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a skin of pliablecushioning material covering said housing and said heating elementthereon.
 17. The rollable apparatus of claim 12 wherein said housingcomprises front and rear housing portions, said front housing portionhaving a rear annular rim and said rear housing portion having a frontannular rim that faces toward and fits with said rear annular rim ofsaid front housing portion.
 18. A rollable apparatus, comprising: ahousing being annular in shape; a heating element mounted about theexterior of said housing; a vibration-inducing motor mounted in theinterior of said housing and attached thereto; at least one batterymounted in the interior of said housing for powering said heatingelement to heat said housing to a temperature level within a giventemperature range and for powering said vibration-inducing motor toinduce oscillatory motion in said housing; a set of user controlsmounted on said housing to control said heating element and saidvibration-inducing motor; a roller element mounted to one end of saidhousing; and a cover mounted to an opposite end of said housing andhaving an opening recessed centrally therein through which to gainaccess to said set of user controls such that said cover need not beremoved to access said set of user controls.
 19. The rollable apparatusof claim 18 further comprising a glove handle device detachablyattachable to said roller element at a respective one of the oppositeends of said housing for receiving a hand of a user to grasp and directthe rollable apparatus in contact with areas of the body of a user forapplication of a treatment thereto.
 20. The rollable apparatus of claim18 further comprising a microprocessor mounted in said housing forreceiving inputs from said set of user controls operated by a user tocontrol respective operation of said heating element andvibration-inducing motor.